UPSC Prelims 2023 Question:

About three-fourths of the world's cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by

Explanation:

About three-fourths of the world's cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a major global producer of cobalt and has significant cobalt reserves, making it a critical player in the supply chain for electric vehicle batteries.

Cobalt Reserves in India

• Cobalt is a silvery-white metal that is used in a wide range of industrial applications, including the production of batteries, magnets, and alloys. It is also used in some catalysts and pigments. Cobalt is often found in association with other metals, such as copper and nickel. It is extracted as a by-product of mining and processing these metals.
• India has significant cobalt resources, with the majority of them located in the state of Odisha. However, there is currently no production of cobalt in India.
• The cobalt resources in India are estimated to be around 44.91 million tonnes. The majority of these resources are located in the state of Odisha, with smaller amounts in Jharkhand and Nagaland.
• The government of India is interested in developing these resources to meet the growing demand for cobalt in the country. Cobalt is a key component of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in electric vehicles and other renewable energy technologies. India is looking to become a major player in the electric vehicle market, and developing its cobalt resources will be essential to achieving this goal.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.